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The inaugural International CSR Summit 2015 took place in Macau SAR and called for governments, corporates and the society to form partnerships to institutionalize sustainability.

The Summit, organised by Enterprise Asia, was attended by some 300 CEOs and senior corporate social responsibility (CSR) practitioners in what was Asia’s largest gathering for the CSR community. Participants shared their own experiences in developing sustainable CSR projects and jointly identified CSR projects and initiatives that could help re-shape the socioeconomic equation in Asia.

Dr Fong Chan Onn, Chairman of Enterprise Asia, in his opening remarks shared that “Ultimately at the core of the sustainability of our CSR efforts is our ability to institutionalize sustainability itself. When sustainability is driven by a tripartite of legislative compliance, creation of shared value and the protection of corporate legacy, the outcome is the institutionalization of sustainability.”

“Governments need to take the lead in shaping an enabling environment conducive to advancing sustainability. The society needs to embrace the idea that wealth creation and social empowerment can and should co-exists. And corporate leaders should adopt the notion that building a sustainable business is the greatest legacy of all,” said Dr Fong, who was the former chairman of the Sustainable Energy Development Authority of Malaysia and a former minister of human resources.

The International CSR Summit 2015 was themed ‘Shared Value for Profitable CSR Practices’ in line with the global shift of CSR from a philanthropy - and corporate sustainability - focus to the creation of shared value between communities and businesses. With the increasing complexity of the marketplace and the inter-reliance between businesses, governments, communities and the environment, creation of shared value has become a major priority globally.

Among the speakers at the Summit were Congresswoman Gwendolyn Garcia of the Philippines, Dr Eugene Chien, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Minister of Environment of Taiwan, Seah Kian Peng, deputy speaker of Singapore and CEO of NTUC FairPrice Co-operative Limited, Singapore, Alexandra Boakes Tracy, President of Hoi Ping Ventures and Chairman of Association for Sustainable & Responsible Investment in Asia, Dr Naoki Adachi, Executive Director of Japan Business Initiative for Diversity, Dr Niven Huang of KPMG Sustainability Consulting, Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak, Secretary General of World Islamic Economic Forum Foundation, and Lt General Sudhir Sharma, former quartermaster general of the Indian Army. Joining them were Paul Norman Janelle, President Director of PT HM Sampoerna Tbk., Indonesia, Dr Milagros O. How, Executive Vice President of Universal Harvester, Inc., Philippines, Rohan Hafas, Senior Vice President of PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk., Indonesia, Yodphot Wongrukmit, Senior Vice President of Bangchak Petroleum Thailand and Michael Tio, Group Chief Executive and Managing Director of PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd, Malaysia.

About Enterprise Asia

Enterprise Asia is a non-governmental organization in pursuit of creating an Asia that is rich in entrepreneurship as an engine towards sustainable and progressive economic and social development within a world of economic equality. Enterprise Asia builds on its two pillars of existence: investment in people and responsible entrepreneurship. Enterprise Asia work with governments, NGOs and other organizations to promote entrepreneurial and sustainable development, in uplifting the economic status of people across Asia and in ensuring a legacy of hope, innovation and courage for the future generations.